Science.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 352, 5 February 1903, Page 2

Science.

PJISONS. SffJpRHE chief mineral poisons am, lead, WMrk n^ °f silver, tar tar i zed antimony, arsenic, acids, and alkalies. In all cases of poison it will be necessary to procure, as quickly as possible, an evacuation of the contents contents cf the stomach, either by means of the stomach-pump or of a strong emetic, as sulphate of zinc, from fifteen grains to half a drachm; powder of ipecacuanha, ten grains. Mix them, and let this powder be taken immediately. Or, if these cannot be procured at once, a tablespconful of mustard in half a tumbler of warm water may be administered with good results. Wheu lead is introduced into the stomach it produces languor, tremors, colic, p*lsy, and convulsions. To obviate the deleterious effects of this poison the remedies to be employed are, opium, castor oil, and the warm bath. Common flower of sulphate may also betaken with advantage, followed by a large quantity of diluted alkali. Against all poisons of the sulphuric, nitric or muriatic acid kind, calcined magnesia will be the beat remedy. The patient should take, as soon as possible, a mixture of subcarbonate of magnesia and water, in the proportion of an ounce of the former 15 a pint of the latter. Of this a glassful should be taken every four or six minutes, to induce vomiting, and

prevent the aoid from acting on the coats o! the stomach. All food is to be left off for the time; bat diluents, such as milk, linseed tea, and gruel, are to be taken plentifully, and laxative clysters be injected frequently. Daring convalescence a return to the usual diet ; should ibe gradual. 'T'/.'' Acetic acid, or vinegar diluted-with water, is the best antidote against the effects of an overdose of any alkali, for arsenic hydrated peroxide of iron, unless Fowler's solution has been taken, when lime-water must be given. The poisonous effects of nitrate of silver (lunar caustic) may be counteracted by a teaspoonfol of common salt in a tumbler of water. It decomposes the salts of silver and destroys their activity. Oxalic acid, which resembles Emm salts in appearance, may easily bo'unstaken for it. The antidotes are, magn-sia, or ohalk mixed with water. When poisonous fish, such as mussels, crabs, etc., or tainted tinned fish and meats have been eaten, the contents of the stomach and bowels should be emptied as soon as possible by emetics—mustard mixed with warm water, or powdered alum—and castor oil; at the same time drinking plenty of vinegar and writer. Ether, with a few drops of laudanum, mixed with sugar and water, may afterwards be taken freely. Daring the effects of all mineral poisons, which are frequently long and painful, the patient ought to be nourished by -ailk, gruel, farinaceous preparations, and nutritive broths. The thirst, which Is usually great, may be allayed by constantly washing the mouth with cold water, in preference to Irinkia; any quantity of watery liquors, lest vomiting should oe excited. Persons who have been stung by poisonous insects, such as scorpions, wasps, hornets, etc., should moisten a piece of rag with a solution of carbolic acid, and keep it on the affected part until the pun is relieved; or the joiceof a raw onion may be used with advantage. When the sting is left behind it may be removed by making a strong pressure around it with the barrel of a small watch-key.